Romania: Patriot missiles not aimed at increasing tensions with Russia

This picture taken on March 21, 2015 shows US troops from the 5th Battalion of the 7th Air Defense Regiment emplace a launching station of the Patriot air and missile defense system at a test range in Sochaczew, Poland. (Photos by AFP)

Romania has stressed that its possible purchasing of seven US-built Patriot missile defense systems is aimed at bolstering the country’s defense and not antagonizing Russia.

"We are not getting ready to attack anyone. We are preparing ... for our army to benefit from modern, efficient features. They are meant to defend us, to guarantee the security of Romanians," Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday.

Earlier in the month, the US State Department announced that it has approved the possible sale of defense systems worth $3.9 billion to the NATO country Romania.

Romania is yet to formally announce the purchase of the missile defenses systems, whose main contractors would be Raytheon Co and Lockheed Martin Corp.

Romania has been part of NATO since 2004, and is committed to increase its defense spending to two percent of its gross domestic product this year.

President of Romania Klaus Werner Iohannis arrives for an European Union leaders summit, on June 22, 2017, at the European Council in Brussels

NATO drills kick off in Romania

Meanwhile, NATO and partner countries have begun war games in Romania being overseen by high ranking NATO officials and Iohannis.

Soldiers from Romania, the US, Ukraine, Armenia and Croatia are taking part in the exercises, in which US and Romanian military aircraft are also present.